No this ain't an announcement, quite the contrary. I was just wondering, where does info arrive first that Valve announces, because the time is fast approaching for something to pop up about EP3.
So my question: Who/what site/magazine will be the first to know when Episode Three gets announced to come out? If anyone's got the URL or the name of the source, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thanks
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by Le Chief on Mon Sep 7th at 12:11pm 2009
Posted by Le Chief on Mon Sep 7th at 12:11pm 2009
I wouldn't worry about this. I'm sure all the gaming press and forums would be all over it so your bound to hear it somehow.
Me thinks an announcement should be coming soon, maybe E3 next year or something would be nice.
Riven'll probably make a news post about it so be sure to check the front page from time to time.
Me thinks an announcement should be coming soon, maybe E3 next year or something would be nice.
Riven'll probably make a news post about it so be sure to check the front page from time to time.
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by reaper47 on Mon Sep 7th at 6:50pm 2009
Are you sure? I can almost guarantee you that we won't hear anything about Episode 3 until L4D2 is released. And they'll probably wait for a major event. E3 2010?
It will be all over the whole of the internets. You can link the RPS news feed directly to an alarm clock you always carry with you, reacting to search terms like "Valve" and "Episode 3". That way you're on the safe side if you want to be the first person in the world to hear about it.
Posted by reaper47 on Mon Sep 7th at 6:50pm 2009
Quoting **Dedi**
the time is fast approaching for something to pop up about EP3.
Are you sure? I can almost guarantee you that we won't hear anything about Episode 3 until L4D2 is released. And they'll probably wait for a major event. E3 2010?
It will be all over the whole of the internets. You can link the RPS news feed directly to an alarm clock you always carry with you, reacting to search terms like "Valve" and "Episode 3". That way you're on the safe side if you want to be the first person in the world to hear about it.
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by Crono on Tue Sep 8th at 2:44am 2009
Posted by Crono on Tue Sep 8th at 2:44am 2009
Gabe Newel talked about it a little bit on GT TV back when they were covering L4D2. That, it's being made ... and it's coming ... at some point. It might get another packaging deal like Orange Box with something new like Portal 2 or Counter-Strike 2 or something as such.
In any case, you will hear it when it's said, no doubt.
In any case, you will hear it when it's said, no doubt.
Blame it on Microsoft, God does.
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by **Dedi** on Tue Sep 8th at 11:21am 2009
Posted by **Dedi** on Tue Sep 8th at 11:21am 2009
Hmm, regarding my quote with 'time is fast approaching'.. it's been around the same time gap as there has been between most of the other Half-Life games... but.. really??? next E3??? That's like.. next year!! I will need medication to minimise the anxiety 
GT TV? I'm not familliar. I'll bet they're throwing in all these games like L4D2 and Portal2 to break the timing because they're in development of "Half-Life 3" or something that drastic. Maybe they've lied about Episode 3 to make the public think it's in development and not even question that an entire new engine may be in development..That would be very nice news indeed.. or maybe they're just broke.. but I doubt that very much given they always produce award-winning games.. they gotta pick up buckets of money with that don't they...?
GT TV? I'm not familliar. I'll bet they're throwing in all these games like L4D2 and Portal2 to break the timing because they're in development of "Half-Life 3" or something that drastic. Maybe they've lied about Episode 3 to make the public think it's in development and not even question that an entire new engine may be in development..That would be very nice news indeed.. or maybe they're just broke.. but I doubt that very much given they always produce award-winning games.. they gotta pick up buckets of money with that don't they...?
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by Le Chief on Wed Sep 9th at 10:06am 2009
Posted by Le Chief on Wed Sep 9th at 10:06am 2009
They wouldn't lie about what they're working on.
But Crono tells me that Valve are working on Half-Life 2 Episode 3 and Half-life 3 plus a few other titles. They're just waiting for the right time.
But Crono tells me that Valve are working on Half-Life 2 Episode 3 and Half-life 3 plus a few other titles. They're just waiting for the right time.
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by Crono on Wed Sep 9th at 11:10am 2009
Here's the deal, making a new engine, when your business ISN'T selling middleware, makes no sense.
What DOES make sense, is if you continue development on your current one. Which Valve does constantly.
I know that new games from companies that looks way better gives the impression that they rebuilt the technology from the ground up, but, in all actuality, you could give it a new renderer (something CryTek does about every 6 months it seems) and it will appear completely different, even though underlying technology is mostly similar.
Most of what makes the Source engine the Source engine, is the architecture of it, not really any particular implementation within it. Meaning, if they made a new engine, it would mean the architecture needs to be different. With current design practices this is only the case when you're switching hardware platforms. (In the case of stuff like Unreal Engine, generally, Epic is going to withhold new technologies from the current engine, so they can put them in the next one, so you'll buy it.) In any case, this is the goal when developing very large pieces of software. If you make something that you can add to and refine indefinitely, then you're costs will be way down and your productivity will be way up. Valve is full of a bunch of smart guys, they're well aware of this.
Valve is the kind of company who continues working on all their properties nearly constantly. It'd be naive in any case to assume HL3 isn't being worked on. In fact, it'd be naive to think they're not working on sequels for all their games, even working on plans for a new engine (eventually), and new steam platform, but these are all, most likely, very long term plans.
Here's the video I was talking about. It's a show made by GameTrailers.com, they put it on their website and show it on Spike.
http://www.gametrailers.com/episode/gametrailers-tv/67?ch=1&sd=0
Posted by Crono on Wed Sep 9th at 11:10am 2009
Quoting **Dedi**
GT TV? I'm not familliar. I'll bet they're throwing in all these games like L4D2 and Portal2 to break the timing because they're in development of "Half-Life 3" or something that drastic. Maybe they've lied about Episode 3 to make the public think it's in development and not even question that an entire new engine may be in development..That would be very nice news indeed.. or maybe they're just broke.. but I doubt that very much given they always produce award-winning games.. they gotta pick up buckets of money with that don't they...?
Here's the deal, making a new engine, when your business ISN'T selling middleware, makes no sense.
What DOES make sense, is if you continue development on your current one. Which Valve does constantly.
I know that new games from companies that looks way better gives the impression that they rebuilt the technology from the ground up, but, in all actuality, you could give it a new renderer (something CryTek does about every 6 months it seems) and it will appear completely different, even though underlying technology is mostly similar.
Most of what makes the Source engine the Source engine, is the architecture of it, not really any particular implementation within it. Meaning, if they made a new engine, it would mean the architecture needs to be different. With current design practices this is only the case when you're switching hardware platforms. (In the case of stuff like Unreal Engine, generally, Epic is going to withhold new technologies from the current engine, so they can put them in the next one, so you'll buy it.) In any case, this is the goal when developing very large pieces of software. If you make something that you can add to and refine indefinitely, then you're costs will be way down and your productivity will be way up. Valve is full of a bunch of smart guys, they're well aware of this.
Valve is the kind of company who continues working on all their properties nearly constantly. It'd be naive in any case to assume HL3 isn't being worked on. In fact, it'd be naive to think they're not working on sequels for all their games, even working on plans for a new engine (eventually), and new steam platform, but these are all, most likely, very long term plans.
Here's the video I was talking about. It's a show made by GameTrailers.com, they put it on their website and show it on Spike.
http://www.gametrailers.com/episode/gametrailers-tv/67?ch=1&sd=0
Blame it on Microsoft, God does.
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by reaper47 on Wed Sep 9th at 4:17pm 2009
Posted by reaper47 on Wed Sep 9th at 4:17pm 2009
Valve certainly isn't falling for the same trap as Crysis ("Oh, our game isn't backward compatible-- it's forward compatible!!!"), and I applaud them.
However, by 2010, the introduction of the Source engine will be as far away as Source was from GoldSource. If you consider the near-finished 2003 demos, it will even be longer. And the more I work with Hammer (and 3DSMax, lately), the more I realize just how backward Source really is.
The argument of having some sort of global illumination pre-rendered is loosing its ground, since there are convincing real-time alternatives floating around which (at least by 2010) will make Source lighting look like a dinosaur, by both technical and aesthetical standards.
Physics is getting old. The only thing left for game-altering interactivity are fully destroyable environments (a la Red Fraction) and I don't really see a quick way of adding that sort of functionality to Source (I could be wrong?).
The editor feels clumsy and under-detailed by todays standards. I don't know why I should be afraid to drop a brush-based, func_detail half-sphere into my map, yet it crashes the compile tools. Some basic way of doing non-world geometry and vertex editing could save so much time. A simple railing made out of cylindrical rods should not require opening a secondary program, writing a custom shader and QC file in notepad and compiling that thing including a separately created collision model and a phantom animation file. The displacements were nice for 2004 but if I look at proper terrain creation tools like the sandbox editors of other engines, I could scream. Having to wait 20 minutes for a radiosity lighting compile, only to find 20 spots that look buggy and unnatural (which have to be fixed and can only be seen after another 20 minute compile), then doing the thing a second time just to get HDR lighting is... sucky.
I don't want Valve to make an engine just for the sake of it, but boy, I'd love to see a proper update and a game built around that new kind of freedom.
It might be wishful thinking, but a surprise announcement of Episode 3 bringing a major engine (and tools!) upgrade would make a lot of sense in my book.
However, by 2010, the introduction of the Source engine will be as far away as Source was from GoldSource. If you consider the near-finished 2003 demos, it will even be longer. And the more I work with Hammer (and 3DSMax, lately), the more I realize just how backward Source really is.
The argument of having some sort of global illumination pre-rendered is loosing its ground, since there are convincing real-time alternatives floating around which (at least by 2010) will make Source lighting look like a dinosaur, by both technical and aesthetical standards.
Physics is getting old. The only thing left for game-altering interactivity are fully destroyable environments (a la Red Fraction) and I don't really see a quick way of adding that sort of functionality to Source (I could be wrong?).
The editor feels clumsy and under-detailed by todays standards. I don't know why I should be afraid to drop a brush-based, func_detail half-sphere into my map, yet it crashes the compile tools. Some basic way of doing non-world geometry and vertex editing could save so much time. A simple railing made out of cylindrical rods should not require opening a secondary program, writing a custom shader and QC file in notepad and compiling that thing including a separately created collision model and a phantom animation file. The displacements were nice for 2004 but if I look at proper terrain creation tools like the sandbox editors of other engines, I could scream. Having to wait 20 minutes for a radiosity lighting compile, only to find 20 spots that look buggy and unnatural (which have to be fixed and can only be seen after another 20 minute compile), then doing the thing a second time just to get HDR lighting is... sucky.
I don't want Valve to make an engine just for the sake of it, but boy, I'd love to see a proper update and a game built around that new kind of freedom.
It might be wishful thinking, but a surprise announcement of Episode 3 bringing a major engine (and tools!) upgrade would make a lot of sense in my book.
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by omegaslayer on Thu Sep 10th at 3:59am 2009
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Posted by omegaslayer on Thu Sep 10th at 3:59am 2009
Episode 3 isn't going to be a new engine/new tools. That is for Half Life 3. Im sure once Half Life 2 was released the internal coders work on improvements/patches to the current engine, while writing (on the side), a new improved engine.
Reaper-
I agree with all of what you said, the hammer editor is really funky and backwards (at times) compared to the industry standard tools (Maya, 3DMAX). The idea of porting over to a modeling program sucks, and should be improved, but I think it is this "modification" aspect that has lead the wide spread use of the source engine to a lot of other games (To name a few: dark masia, Dreamfall, SIN:Emergence). I mean developers have compiler machines that probably could do your light maps in 1 min to your 20 min, they have power to spare, and a lot of modelers at their disposal, so the world geometry -> models aren't a downside for other developers to license the source engine. For us modders/regular people with budgets thats a pain in the ass! But to reiterate what you were saying, the source engine is getting old already, what its a 2004 engine? Even then it was a 2002 engine, only it got delayed even more due to source code theft. Alls I can say is E3 will probably be on the source engine with a new feature (weather it be some new lighting scheme, more particle effects, or different model animation).
Back to the topic of E3, valve is probably working on it internally, however most of the team is focusing on L4D2 as thats whats going to make them the quick bucks, for all we know this economic recession has valve on the ropes, and they need some quick cash, remember valve != steam, valve only writes/maintains steam, Vendeti gets most of the steam royalties.
Who knows, maybe we'll get a Christmas present from valve this year: Sneak peak of E3...
Reaper-
I agree with all of what you said, the hammer editor is really funky and backwards (at times) compared to the industry standard tools (Maya, 3DMAX). The idea of porting over to a modeling program sucks, and should be improved, but I think it is this "modification" aspect that has lead the wide spread use of the source engine to a lot of other games (To name a few: dark masia, Dreamfall, SIN:Emergence). I mean developers have compiler machines that probably could do your light maps in 1 min to your 20 min, they have power to spare, and a lot of modelers at their disposal, so the world geometry -> models aren't a downside for other developers to license the source engine. For us modders/regular people with budgets thats a pain in the ass! But to reiterate what you were saying, the source engine is getting old already, what its a 2004 engine? Even then it was a 2002 engine, only it got delayed even more due to source code theft. Alls I can say is E3 will probably be on the source engine with a new feature (weather it be some new lighting scheme, more particle effects, or different model animation).
Back to the topic of E3, valve is probably working on it internally, however most of the team is focusing on L4D2 as thats whats going to make them the quick bucks, for all we know this economic recession has valve on the ropes, and they need some quick cash, remember valve != steam, valve only writes/maintains steam, Vendeti gets most of the steam royalties.
Who knows, maybe we'll get a Christmas present from valve this year: Sneak peak of E3...
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Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by **Dedi** on Thu Sep 10th at 6:25am 2009
Posted by **Dedi** on Thu Sep 10th at 6:25am 2009
Every time Valve's released a game in the past, it's set a new standard, HL2 inclusive.. It seems though that since the Source engine, the rest of the gaming world has been catching up, and many have now overtaken Valve's technology. I'm hoping for a major boost to the Source engine in EP3.
Then again Valve still make their games to be widely compatible, which is not what the others are doing, so that's still a unique quality about Valve.
Thanks for that vid, enjoyed it
Then again Valve still make their games to be widely compatible, which is not what the others are doing, so that's still a unique quality about Valve.
Quoting "Crono"
http://www.gametrailers.com/episode/gametrailers-tv/67?ch=1&sd=0
Thanks for that vid, enjoyed it
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by reaper47 on Thu Sep 10th at 7:07pm 2009
No offense, but I call BS on both. I still believe they were just late with HL2 before the leak and the recession is a wildcard excuse for bad performance in any business these days. I rather think that 2009 generally didn't produce that many interesting games so far, thus less sales.
Are you sure? Do you mean Vivendi? After all the fighting between Valve and Vivendi, I doubt they get a cent from anything Valve produces at the moment. I'm pretty sure they get all of the royalties.
Posted by reaper47 on Thu Sep 10th at 7:07pm 2009
Quoting omegaslayer
it got delayed even more due to source code theft.
[...]
for all we know this economic recession has valve on the ropes, and they need some quick cash, remember valve != steam, valve only writes/maintains steam
[...]
for all we know this economic recession has valve on the ropes, and they need some quick cash, remember valve != steam, valve only writes/maintains steam
No offense, but I call BS on both. I still believe they were just late with HL2 before the leak and the recession is a wildcard excuse for bad performance in any business these days. I rather think that 2009 generally didn't produce that many interesting games so far, thus less sales.
Quoting omegaslayer
Vendeti gets most of the steam royalties.
Are you sure? Do you mean Vivendi? After all the fighting between Valve and Vivendi, I doubt they get a cent from anything Valve produces at the moment. I'm pretty sure they get all of the royalties.
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by Riven on Tue Jun 1st at 3:17am 2010
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Posted by Riven on Tue Jun 1st at 3:17am 2010
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Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by **Dedi** on Tue Jun 1st at 8:37am 2010
Posted by **Dedi** on Tue Jun 1st at 8:37am 2010
Wow I almost just got a heart attack there.. only to read it's fake
But the rumours and tension build up are great. Valve must be loving this.
But the rumours and tension build up are great. Valve must be loving this.
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by omegaslayer on Wed Jun 2nd at 6:00am 2010
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Posted by omegaslayer on Wed Jun 2nd at 6:00am 2010
Hmmmm
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/06/02/a-note-from-aperture-science/
"Aperture Science is pleased to inform you that we have partnered with Valve to announce the gala CANCELLATION of the June 14 Portal 2 event at the Regal Theater. The event will be replaced by a surprise"
A surprise huh? Episode 3 maybe o.O?
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/06/02/a-note-from-aperture-science/
"Aperture Science is pleased to inform you that we have partnered with Valve to announce the gala CANCELLATION of the June 14 Portal 2 event at the Regal Theater. The event will be replaced by a surprise"
A surprise huh? Episode 3 maybe o.O?
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Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by **Dedi** on Wed Jun 2nd at 9:09am 2010
Posted by **Dedi** on Wed Jun 2nd at 9:09am 2010
Oh please God let it be Episode 3..
Too bad the event happens right between my biology and chemistry exams, so I won't be right up there following it.
As a lot of people have said "I don't want it to be anything but Episode 3"
..An extra announcement of Half-Life 3 being in development would be...very surprising I guess, but I'm guessing (hoping) it's going to be EP3.
edit: omegaslayer: 2222 posts.. nice little number
edit(edit): well maybe not so little..
Too bad the event happens right between my biology and chemistry exams, so I won't be right up there following it.
As a lot of people have said "I don't want it to be anything but Episode 3"
..An extra announcement of Half-Life 3 being in development would be...very surprising I guess, but I'm guessing (hoping) it's going to be EP3.
edit: omegaslayer: 2222 posts.. nice little number
edit(edit): well maybe not so little..
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by Le Chief on Wed Jun 2nd at 10:06am 2010
Posted by Le Chief on Wed Jun 2nd at 10:06am 2010
It's about time they announce ep3 seriously "episodic speeds up development" my ass. 
I don't blame Valve but this game is way over due... they haven't even announced it yet.
I don't blame Valve but this game is way over due... they haven't even announced it yet.
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by sgtfly on Wed Jun 2nd at 11:48am 2010
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Posted by sgtfly on Wed Jun 2nd at 11:48am 2010
I know what it is guys, but I can't tell you. Not trying to be a smart ass or anything but you'll enjoy it.
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Light is faster than sound:That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Your riches in life are family and friends, everything else is just a distraction.
Your riches in life are family and friends, everything else is just a distraction.
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by **Dedi** on Wed Jun 2nd at 11:50am 2010
Posted by **Dedi** on Wed Jun 2nd at 11:50am 2010
What, are you working with Valve or something ? Or just a hunch?
? Or just a hunch?
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by sgtfly on Wed Jun 2nd at 11:52am 2010
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Posted by sgtfly on Wed Jun 2nd at 11:52am 2010
No,I just happen to know.
But I respect how they do things and what they try to do, so no kiss and tell from this guy.
But I respect how they do things and what they try to do, so no kiss and tell from this guy.
sgtfly
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273 posts
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Registered: Jan 24th 2005
Location: Batavia,IL USA
Occupation: 5 more years of BS and I'm done. WOOHOO!
Light is faster than sound:That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Your riches in life are family and friends, everything else is just a distraction.
Your riches in life are family and friends, everything else is just a distraction.
Re: Half-Life 2: Episode Three
Posted by **Dedi** on Wed Jun 2nd at 12:35pm 2010
Posted by **Dedi** on Wed Jun 2nd at 12:35pm 2010
Haha, yeah I'm Valve's biggest fan.. well it's a bit tough saying that here, I think most of us are members of this site for the very reason. Can't wait for the 14th.
Does this event by any chance get broadcast on TV or anything live?
Does this event by any chance get broadcast on TV or anything live?
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